responsible," said Ismay darkly.

"Do you think Anne Shirley is really engaged to Gilbert Blythe?"
I asked curiously.

"I've heard that she was," said Ismay, absently. "Does she eat
anything but milk? Will it do to give her mice?"

"Oh, I guess so. But do you think Max has really fallen in love
with her?"

"I dare say. What a relief it will be for you if he has."

"Oh, of course," I said, frostily. "Anne Shirley or Anne Anybody
Else, is perfectly welcome to Max if she wants him. _I_
certainly do not. Ismay Meade, if that stove doesn't stop
smoking I shall fly into bits. This is a detestable day. I hate
that creature!"

"Oh, you shouldn't talk like that, when you don't even know her,"
protested Ismay. "Every one says Anne Shirley is lovely--"

"I was talking about Fatima," I cried in a rage.

"Oh!" said Ismay.

Ismay is stupid at times. I thought the way she said "Oh" was
inexcusably stupid.

Fatima arrived the next day. Max brought her out in a covered